Major African countries update regarding COVID 19 active cases and lockdown status as of May 1st:
Confirmed cases = 27,385
Number of deaths = 1,297
Recoveries = 8,172
Infected countries = 52
Virus-free countries = 2 (Lesotho, Comoros)
ANGOLA
On Thursday, April 23, Angola’s National Assembly announced that the current nationwide state of emergency will be extended until Sunday, May 10, to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. This is the second time the government has extended the state of emergency since it was initially imposed on March 27. Also, the Government officials announced that all international flights to and from Angola will be suspended until further notice.
(Active cases: 27)
GHANA
After three weeks, Ghana lifted the coronavirus lockdown in its two biggest cities, Accra and Kumasi on Monday April 20th. A lockdown of the two worst affected metropolitan areas had been in place since March 30, 2020. However, non-essential businesses also will now be allowed to open while wearing of masks. But there are still bans on large gatherings and schools will remain closed. International flights into Ghana and all international flights out of Ghana are suspended. This means no other nationals can enter Ghana at the current time.
(Active cases: 2074)
ZAMBIA
Zambia‘s president Edgar Lungu announced the government wouldn’t close its borders unlike other Sub-Saharan nations, as this would lead to an economic meltdown. In addition, he suspended all international flights except those landing and departing from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in the capital, Lusaka. He has also ordered the closure of gyms, bars, casinos and night clubs. Yet, “essential businesses dealing in goods and services will be kept running”.
(Active cases: 97)
MALAWI
Malawi Health Minister has declared a 21-day lockdown that came into effect at midnight on April 18th and runs till midnight on May 9th. The Malawi Department of Civil Aviation announced that all international flights to and from Malawi will be suspended until further notice
(Active cases: 36)
SOUTH AFRICA
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced on April 22nd, a slight easing of the nationwide lockdown that has been in place since March 27. Starting from May 1st, the lockdown will move from the current level 5 to level 4, in which some business will be allowed to resume operations under strict conditions while International travel will continue to be suspended.
(Active cases: 5350)
TANZANIA
On April 12, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority announced a suspension of all international passenger flights due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Cargo flights are exempt from the suspension, but crew members will be quarantined at government facilities during their stay. President John Magufuli has announced that the country will not be closing its borders due to humanitarian concerns, as the closure would impact land-locked countries in the region dependent on its ports.
(Active cases: 480)
NIGERIA
After a month-long lockdown, Nigeria will begin easing coronavirus restrictions in some major cities next week. Nigeria’s president Buhari on announced “a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures” in Abuja, Ogun and Lagos states from May 4.
Nigeria announced that it will temporarily suspend international passenger flights due to the coronavirus pandemic. Exceptions will be made for emergency and essential flights. Authorities had previously halted international flights into Enugu, Kano, and Port Harcourt. Domestic flight operations will continue normally at all airports in the country.
(Active cases: 1728)
SENEGAL
In Senegal, President Macky Sall declared a state of health emergency on March 23: a curfew is imposed between 8 pm and 6 am, during which the population is forbidden to roam the streets. The lockdown is therefore limited to certain hours only. Senegal’s Minister of Tourism and Air Transport, Alioune Sarr, announced that all international flights to the country will remain suspended until Monday, June 1. Cargo flights, medical evacuations, and specially authorized flights are exempt from the restriction.
(Active cases: 882)
KENYA
Kenya’s president extended a nationwide night-time curfew by 21 days and said people will not be able to enter or exit the capital and some coastal areas for a similar period. All international flights are suspended effective March 25, 2020 at midnight with the exception of cargo flights.
(Active cases: 384)
UGANDA
Uganda is under complete lockdown till 5th May,2020. The country is currently in the middle of a 21-day lockdown and curfew. Uganda has restricted visitors from some countries with what it terms high cases of coronavirus, including China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South Korea, and Spain. Uganda has suspended all its international flight until further notice.
(Active cases: 81)
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopia is reluctant to initiate a strict lockdown, which the World Health Organization recommends helping to slow down the spread of the virus. Authorities in Ethiopia have closed schools, banned public gathering and suggested most employees to work from home. Ethiopian Airlines has suspended flights due to this pandemic.
(Active cases: 131)
MOROCCO
Morocco is to extend its national lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus until May 20. Lockdown measures imposed on March 20 mean people are only allowed to go out to buy food or medicine, and to staff some key jobs. Schools, mosques, non-essential shops, and all entertainment venues have been closed. Morocco has made wearing masks mandatory, with those who fail to do so at risk of being fined or jailed. Morocco suspended day all international passenger flights to and from its airports as a protective measure against the spread of coronavirus
(Active cases: 4321)
LIBYA
It has enforced a nationwide curfew from 2pm to 7am and prohibited intercity travel on April 23, that the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) curfew will be modified. The new curfew will be implemented on Monday, April 27, and will run from 18:00 to 06:00 (local time), and individuals will be permitted to operate vehicles, banned during the previous curfew. It is unclear as to how long the measure will remain in place.
(Active cases: 61)
SOMALIA
On Monday, April 13, General Abdi Hassan Mohamed Hajar, Somali commander of police, announced that a nighttime curfew would be implemented in Mogadishu for an indefinite period from Wednesday, April 15, to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The nightly curfew will be in effect between 20:00 and 05:00 (local time). Also, all international flights to and from Somalia are indefinitely suspended.
(Active cases: 582)
MOZAMBIQUE
President Felipe Nyusi announced a 30-day extension to the state of emergency until May 30, due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. All the international flights remain suspended until further notice.
(Active cases: 76)
ALGERIA
Algeria has ended a full lockdown on the northern Blida province, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, and replaced it with a curfew during the holy month of Ramadhan. It is unclear if the full lockdown on Blida province, which was to end in a week, will be re-introduced after Ramadhan. Algeria has suspended international flights due to this pandemic.
(Active cases: 3848)